Book-rest



(No Model.)

W. SMALL.

BOOK REST.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 1, 1887.

N, PETERS. PhohrLxDmgr-aphur. Washmgion, 11c,

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE...

XVILSON SMALL, OF BROOKLYN, NEWV- YORK.

BOOK-REST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372,496, dated November 1, 1887.

Application filed May 31, 1887. Serial No. 239,820. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILsoN SMALL, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New YorlghaveinventedanewandImproved B001.- Rcst, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention consists of a book and paper rest for reading, writing, or sketching, which may be suspended from the shoulders or neck of the user by a rod to which the support is attached.

The invention also consists of the special construction of the device, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 shows my invention in position for use. Fig. 2is an inverted plan view of the device, and Fig. 3 is aside elevation of the same.

A represents a support or table, of wood or sheet metal, furnished with a block or flange, B, at one edge. The block or flange B and the adjacent edge of the table A are made concaved, as shown at B, to fit against the body of the user, as indicated in Fig. 1. The table or support A is connected to the yoke O, which is composed of a small rod of iron bent in U form and curved backward, as shown at O, to fit nicely over the neck and shoulders of the user. The lower ends of the yoke 0 pass through small orifices aa, made near the ends of the block or flange B, and in the ends of said block are fitted the set-screws (1 cl, which may be turned home upon the ends of the yoke O, for locking the table at any desired position, high or low, upon the yoke. In this manner the table may be adjusted to suit any person, and to suit the table to reading, writing, or sketching. lhe yoke C is made of wire sufficiently heavy to support the tableA in horizontal positions with a considerable weight thereon, so there will be no danger of the table tilting in either direction whether the weight be evenly placed thereon or not.

For holding paper or the leaves of a book upon the table A, I provide the block or flange B with the arms D, made of a single piece of wire and pivoted to the upper edge of the said block or flange. The arms D are acted upon by a spring, D, secured to the flange B, and which bears against the central extension, f, of the wire forming the arms D, so that when they are tipped downward to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 the spring will act with a considerable pressure to cause them to effectually hold the paper orthe book upon the table A. \Vhen the arms D are lifted to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the spring will have a reverse action upon the ,extensionf, which will hold the arms elevated and out of the way while placing a book or paper upon the table A.

In addition to the arms D, for holding the book or paper, I employ also the side hooks, E E, and the front hook, F, which are attached to the bottom of the table A by staples hit, in which they are adapted to move longitudinally, the hooked ends reaching above the table A to confine the paper or the leaves of a book. The said hooks E F are drawn toward the center of the support A by a spring, H, preferably of rubber, connected to the inner ends of the hooks, so that asingle spring or rubber strap serves for all of the hooks; but independent springs may be used, if desired, one for each hook.

By constructing the device as described it is very convenient for reading while standing or walking about and for writing, taking notes, and for sketching, and it is very cheap and easily applied for use.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The table or support A, provided with the flange B, in combination with the yoke O, substantially as described.

2. The table or support A, provided with the set-screws d, fitted in the flange B, in combination with the yoke O, substantially as described.

3. The table or support A, provided with the holdingarms D, acted upon by a spring, substantially as described.

WILSON SMALL. lVitnesses:

Guns. E. CLARK, HENRY KAsrER. 

